The Guardian. Syria says Jordan 'playing with fire' over assistance to rebels

Jordan is facing mounting tension with neighbouring Syria amid signs that it has moved to a more active role in support of the rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's government.

The border between the countries was reinforced on the Jordanian side on Thursday after Syrian state media warned the western-backed kingdom it was "playing with fire" and poised "on the edge of a volcano" by backing the opposition.

Recent weeks have seen a spate of reports about arms shipments from Jordan to anti-Assad rebels who have been making gains around Deraa, the Syrian city closest to the border. Opposition sources say the military situation reflects enhanced supplies and training.

Barack Obama discussed the crisis with King Abdullah II in Amman on his Middle East tour last month. Jordan was the only Arab state the US president visited – an indication of the pressure the king is under to be more supportive of the Gulf-driven effort to drive Assad from power.

An estimated 460,000 Syrian refugees are in Jordan. In one 24-hour period this week, 1,967 arrivals were recorded. If the influx continues at the current rate, Jordan could be hosting more than 1 million refugees by the end of 2013.

Abdullah Ensour, the newly appointed prime minister, has warned publicly of a "catastrophic" situation" and used even stronger language in private, according to sources in Amman.

Domestic strains have also been evident in complaints about the number of Syrian refugees. Several MPs are calling for the closure of the border. Abdul Karim al-Dughmi, a conservative politician, criticised the government's "timid position" on the crisis and blamed a "conspiracy by some Arab states" for the unrest.